EP2766315B1 - Reshaping thin glass sheets - Google Patents

Reshaping thin glass sheets Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2766315B1
EP2766315B1 EP12840257.5A EP12840257A EP2766315B1 EP 2766315 B1 EP2766315 B1 EP 2766315B1 EP 12840257 A EP12840257 A EP 12840257A EP 2766315 B1 EP2766315 B1 EP 2766315B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
glass sheet
bending
glass
heating
sheet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP12840257.5A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2766315A4 (en
EP2766315A2 (en
Inventor
Antoine Gaston Denis Bisson
Curtis Richard Cowles
Laurent Joubaud
David John Mcenroe
Aniello Mario Palumbo
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Corning Inc
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Corning Inc
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Publication date
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Publication of EP2766315A2 publication Critical patent/EP2766315A2/en
Publication of EP2766315A4 publication Critical patent/EP2766315A4/en
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Publication of EP2766315B1 publication Critical patent/EP2766315B1/en
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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B23/00—Re-forming shaped glass
    • C03B23/02—Re-forming glass sheets
    • C03B23/023—Re-forming glass sheets by bending
    • C03B23/0235—Re-forming glass sheets by bending involving applying local or additional heating, cooling or insulating means
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B23/00—Re-forming shaped glass
    • C03B23/02—Re-forming glass sheets
    • C03B23/023—Re-forming glass sheets by bending
    • C03B23/025—Re-forming glass sheets by bending by gravity
    • C03B23/0256—Gravity bending accelerated by applying mechanical forces, e.g. inertia, weights or local forces
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B23/00—Re-forming shaped glass
    • C03B23/02—Re-forming glass sheets
    • C03B23/023—Re-forming glass sheets by bending
    • C03B23/025—Re-forming glass sheets by bending by gravity
    • C03B23/0258—Gravity bending involving applying local or additional heating, cooling or insulating means
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B23/00—Re-forming shaped glass
    • C03B23/02—Re-forming glass sheets
    • C03B23/023—Re-forming glass sheets by bending
    • C03B23/035—Re-forming glass sheets by bending using a gas cushion or by changing gas pressure, e.g. by applying vacuum or blowing for supporting the glass while bending
    • C03B23/0352—Re-forming glass sheets by bending using a gas cushion or by changing gas pressure, e.g. by applying vacuum or blowing for supporting the glass while bending by suction or blowing out for providing the deformation force to bend the glass sheet
    • C03B23/0357—Re-forming glass sheets by bending using a gas cushion or by changing gas pressure, e.g. by applying vacuum or blowing for supporting the glass while bending by suction or blowing out for providing the deformation force to bend the glass sheet by suction without blowing, e.g. with vacuum or by venturi effect

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for bending a glass sheet and a method of bending a glass sheet, which can be used for forming tight bends and shapes in thin glass sheets.
  • the apparatus and method provide the ability to reshape thin glass sheets into complex geometries with minimal distortion while retaining the surface quality of the glass. Additional advantages include use with large sheet glass sizes, lower preheating temperatures, and shorter cycle times, all of which result in cost savings.
  • glass sheets are commonly fabricated by a flowing molten glass to a forming body whereby a glass ribbon may be formed by a variety of ribbon forming process techniques, for example, slot draw, float, down-draw, fusion down-draw, or up-draw.
  • the glass ribbon may then be subsequently divided to provide sheet glass suitable for further processing into a desired application.
  • Subsequent fabrication techniques that allow for modification of the shape of the glass sheet are desirable to extend the number of applications wherein flat glass could be used.
  • a good example is the case of automotive windshields, where current designs are far from simple flat shapes.
  • JPH11-322353 discloses a bending machine for producing a bend portion in a quartz glass body.
  • JPS61-227932 A discloses a method for forming a glass article by vacuum forming.
  • US 4229200 A discloses a method of drop forming a glass sheet.
  • WO2005042420 A1 discloses a method for produing a molded glass part.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for bending sheet glass with little or no unwanted distortion to the glass sheet at points outside of the bend.
  • an apparatus for bending a glass sheet along a bending area comprising: a support element disposed along one side of the glass sheet for supporting the glass sheet, an overall heating device for heating the glass sheet, a localized heating device for heating the bending area of the glass sheet to an elevated temperature, a bending assistance device which contacts said glass sheet during bending outside of the bending area and on the side of the bending area opposite said support element and a constraint device which contacts said glass sheet during the localised heating step outside of the bending area on the side of the glass sheet opposite the support element and on the same side of the bending area as the support element.
  • said localized heating device comprises a device that heats said glass sheet by a method comprising conduction, convection, or radiation.
  • said localized heating device comprises a conduction element.
  • said conduction element comprises a metal, metal oxide, carbon compound, intermetallic compound, ceramic, or glass ceramic.
  • said conduction element comprises platinum, nichrome, kanthal, cupronickel, doped or undoped molybdenum disilicide, metal ceramics, calrod, a positive thermal coefficient ceramic, barium titanate, lead titanate, molybdenum, or silicon carbide.
  • said bending assistance device comprises a mechanically moveable device that contacts said glass sheet throughout the entire bending process.
  • said bending assistance device comprises a ceramic, glass ceramic, metal, or metal oxide.
  • the method of bending a glass sheet comprises providing an embodiment of the apparatus in the first aspect of the invention, providing an initial glass sheet, positioning said initial glass sheet in said apparatus, applying the bending assistance device to said initial glass sheet, overall heating said initial glass sheet, locally heating a section of said initial glass sheet, and bending at least one part of said initial glass sheet.
  • said applying a bending assistance device to said initial glass sheet comprises applying said bending assistance device throughout the entire bending process.
  • said initial glass sheet comprises an ion exchangeable, soda-lime silicate, EAGLE XG®, 0211-type, or alkali borosilicate glass sheet.
  • said overall heating comprises heating said initial glass sheet to a temperature below the glass transition temperature of said glass sheet.
  • said locally heating comprises heating said section of said initial glass sheet to about the glass transition temperature of said initial glass sheet.
  • the method further comprises annealing said glass sheet.
  • the process further comprises a post-bending treatment process.
  • the post-bending treatment process comprises a cooling step wherein the bent glass sheet is allowed to cool to the overall heated temperature in the overall heating device prior to removal.
  • the process further comprises retaining the bent glass sheet in the overall heating device or placing the bent glass sheet in a separate heating device, to allow for post-bending treatment.
  • post-bending treatment comprises annealing.
  • the process comprises overall heating the glass sheet in a first overall heating device, moving the glass sheet to an embodiment of the apparatus, which may, optionally, be in a second overall heating device, bending the initial glass sheet, and then optionally, moving the bent glass sheet to either the first overall heating device or to a third overall heating device for post-bending treatment.
  • Advantages of embodiments include: the ability to reshape thin glass sheets with minimal distortion and good geometrical control; a reshaping process that can maintain the surface quality of a fusion formed glass sheet; flexibility in the forming process to reshape complex geometries along with variable curvatures and angles; sheet size (final product size) not limited by process, but only dependent on furnace and/or device size; mold less process, no glass surface irregularities from mold contact; and edge bending of glass sheet with ⁇ 2 mm radius of curvature possible.
  • each of the combinations A-E, A-F, B-D, B-E, B-F, C-D, C-E, and C-F are specifically contemplated and should be considered disclosed from disclosure of A, B, and C; D, E, and F; and the example combination A-D.
  • any subset or combination of these is also specifically contemplated and disclosed.
  • the sub-group of A-E, B-F, and C-E are specifically contemplated and should be considered disclosed from disclosure of A, B, and C; D, E, and F; and the example combination A-D.
  • This concept applies to all aspects of this disclosure including, but not limited to any components of the compositions and steps in methods of making and using the disclosed compositions.
  • each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods, and that each such combination is specifically contemplated and should be considered disclosed.
  • compositions and methods of the disclosure include those having any value or any combination of the values, specific values, more specific values, and preferred values described herein.
  • indefinite article “a” or “an” and its corresponding definite article “the” as used herein means at least one, or one or more, unless specified otherwise.
  • support element refers to an object used to support the glass sheet within the apparatus.
  • the support element may comprise any shape that allows for placement of the glass sheet in the apparatus, supports the glass sheet, and allows for the glass sheet to be bent.
  • the support element typically supports the major portion, or "body,” of the glass sheet.
  • the support element may contact the glass sheet on either one or both faces, or may change contact points as the glass is processed.
  • the support element may be designed to allow for multiple bends to be done without moving the glass sheet, or for multiple bends to be done simultaneously. Further, the support element may allow for complex shapes or bends to be made to the glass sheet, for example by comprising a support that is flexible, or can change shape.
  • support elements include, but are not limited to, solid- or honeycomb-type plates or surfaces, external support frames, support columns, rollers or conveyers, or elements that produce air pressure or vacuum pressure. In the case of elements that produce air pressure or vacuum pressure, it may be the case that such elements allow the glass sheet to avoid physical contact with a solid support.
  • the term "overall heating device” refers to a heating device that may be used to heat the entire glass sheet simultaneously, and may optionally also heat the support element, constraint device and/or the bending assistance device.
  • the overall heating device may heat the glass sheet by any known heating process and may operate by, but is not limited to, resistance heating, combustion heating, induction heating, or electromagnetic heating. Heat transfer from the overall heating device to the glass sheet may occur via convection, conduction, or radiation. Examples of embodiments of overall heating devices include, but are not limited to kilns, such as a lehr or tunnel kiln, or static furnaces that may be bottom loaded or of a top hat type. Additionally, the overall heating device may comprise multiple heating devices, which optionally, may be used in individually in different process steps.
  • the term "localized heating device” refers to a heating device which only heats a portion of the glass sheet.
  • the localized heating device may heat the glass sheet by any known heating process and may operate by, but is not limited to, resistance heating, combustion heating, induction heating, or electromagnetic heating, such as infrared, laser or microwave heating. Heat transfer from the overall heating device to the glass sheet may occur via convection, conduction, or radiation. Examples of embodiments of localized heating devices include, but are not limited to infrared heaters, lasers, burners, or shaped metal contacts, such as platinum, silicon carbide, or molybdenum disilicide rods, which conduct heat to the glass sheet. In some embodiments, the localized heating device may be used contemporaneously with the overall heating device, but it may also be used subsequent to the overall heating device.
  • the term "bending assistance device” refers to an element in contact with, or applying force to, the non-bending part of the glass substrate at a point outside the localized heating area and that is capable of providing additional control to the bending process.
  • the bending assistance device may comprise any shape or structure that allows for it to contact or apply force to the glass sheet and assist in bending the glass and/or allows the device to perform the function of improving the bend properties and/or bend characteristics, allows for bending of the glass sheet at lower temperatures, and/or reduces the time needed for bending the glass sheet.
  • Examples of embodiments of bending assistance devices include, but are not limited to, rollers or wheels on rotating brackets attached to the support element that contact the glass sheet and allow for the contact point between the bending assistance device and the glass sheet to move as the sheet bends.
  • constraint device refers to an element in contact with, or applying force to, the non-bending part of the glass substrate at a point on the same side of the bend as the support element that is capable of limiting unwanted distortions or deformations to the glass sheet as a result of the bending process.
  • the constraint device may comprise any shape or structure that allows for it to contact or apply force to the glass sheet and prevent unwanted deformation in the glass sheet. Examples of embodiments of the constraint device, include, but are not limited to, solid- or honeycomb-type plates or surfaces, external support frames, columns or rollers, or elements that produce air pressure or vacuum pressure. In the case of elements that produce air pressure or vacuum pressure, it may be the case that such elements allow the glass sheet to avoid physical contact with a constraint device.
  • the entire sheet When reshaping many glasses, such as current ion exchangeable glasses that are fusion formable, the entire sheet has to be heated to avoid cracking. This requires heating the entire sheet, for example in a furnace, and then reshaping it before it can cool down.
  • a minimum temperature for the overall heating of the sheet may be preferred. Lower overall temperatures improve the surface quality of the flat portion of the glass sheet, as the sheet is less likely to show marks or damage where it has contacted any solid elements (e.g., the support element, bending assistance device and/or the constraint device). Further, elevated overall temperature can create distortions in the flat regions of the sheet or create uneven bending geometries.
  • One aspect is to allow for lowering of the overall temperature of the glass sheet during the bending process.
  • embodiments may be used with thinner glasses and/or glasses having higher thermal expansion glass compositions (such as ion exchangeable glasses which have a high CTE) with fewer occurrences of instabilities.
  • Some embodiments enable bending and shaping of flat sheets of glass using overall heating below the glass transition state along with localized heating in the bend region to form a select bend region.
  • the bending and shaping of flat sheets of glass comprises using overall heating below the softening point along with localized heating in the bend region to form a select bend region.
  • the glass sheet comprises multiple layers of glass, which may be laminated. In some embodiments, the layers of glass comprise different glass compositions.
  • Embodiments enable bending and shaping of flat sheets of glass using overall heating along with localized heating in the bend region to form a select bend region.
  • Embodiments may be used with any type of glass sheet.
  • embodiments are useful for ion exchangeable, soda-lime silicate, EAGLE XG®, 0211-type, or alkali borosilicate glass sheet.
  • the thickness of the glass sheet comprises about 100 ⁇ m, 200 ⁇ m, 300 ⁇ m, 400 ⁇ m, 500 ⁇ m, 600 ⁇ m, 700 ⁇ m, 800 ⁇ m, 900 ⁇ m, 1 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.6 mm, 1.7 mm, 1.8 mm, 1.9 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.1 mm, 2.2 mm, 2.3 mm, 2.4 mm, 2.5 mm, 2.6 mm, 2.7 mm, 2.8 mm, 2.9 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.1 mm, 3.2 mm, 3.3 mm, 3.4 mm, 3.5 mm, 3.6 mm, 3.7 mm, 3.8 mm, 3.9 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.1 mm, 4.2 mm, 4.3 mm, 4.4 mm, 4.5 mm, 4.6 mm, 4.7 mm, 4.8 mm, 4.9 mm,
  • the bend in the glass sheet comprises a radius of 100 ⁇ m, 200 ⁇ m, 300 ⁇ m, 400 ⁇ m, 500 ⁇ m, 600 ⁇ m, 700 ⁇ m, 800 ⁇ m, 900 ⁇ m, 1 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.6 mm, 1.7 mm, 1.8 mm, 1.9 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.1 mm, 2.2 mm, 2.3 mm, 2.4 mm, 2.5 mm, 2.6 mm, 2.7 mm, 2.8 mm, 2.9 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.1 mm, 3.2 mm, 3.3 mm, 3.4 mm, 3.5 mm, 3.6 mm, 3.7 mm, 3.8 mm, 3.9 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.1 mm, 4.2 mm, 4.3 mm, 4.4 mm, 4.5 mm, 4.6 mm, 4.7 mm, 4.8 mm, 4.9
  • the bend comprises a curve that with a radius greater than 200 mm.
  • the bend in the glass sheet comprises a radius from about 200 ⁇ m to about 5 mm, from about 200 ⁇ m to about 3 mm, from about 200 ⁇ m to about 2 mm, from about 200 ⁇ m to about 1 mm, from about 300 ⁇ m to about 5 mm, from about 300 ⁇ m to about 3 mm, from about 300 ⁇ m to about 2 mm, from about 300 ⁇ m to about 1 mm, from about 400 ⁇ m to about 5 mm, from about 400 ⁇ m to about 3 mm, from about 400 ⁇ m to about 2 mm, from about 400 ⁇ m to about 1 mm, from about 500 ⁇ m to about 5 mm, from about 500 ⁇ m to about 3 mm, from about 500 ⁇ m to about 2 mm, or from about 500 ⁇ m to about 1 mm.
  • the bend comprises a complex curve, such as a spline, or a
  • heating by the overall heating device comprises resistance heating, combustion heating, induction heating, or electromagnetic heating.
  • the overall heating device comprises a kiln.
  • the overall heating device comprises a furnace.
  • the overall heating device comprises multiple heating devices, which optionally, may be used in individually in different process steps.
  • the overall heating device helps to prevent stress in the glass sheet after the sheet is bent.
  • the overall heating device is used to anneal the glass sheet after it has been bent.
  • overall heating comprises heating the glass at a temperature below the glass transition temperature, the annealing temperature, the deformation point, or the softening point. In some embodiments, overall heating comprises heating the glass at a temperature of about the glass transition temperature, the annealing temperature, the deformation point, or the softening point. In some embodiments, overall heating comprises heating the glass at a temperature above the glass transition temperature, the annealing temperature, the deformation point, or the softening point. In some embodiments, overall heating of the glass sheet comprises heating to a temperature wherein the viscosity of the glass is from about 10 10 to about 10 21 Poise, about 10 11 to about 10 18 Poise, about 10 13 to about 10 15 Poise.
  • overall heating of the glass sheet comprises heating to a temperature wherein the viscosity of the glass is about 10 7 , 10 8 , 10 9 , 10 10 , 10 11 , 10 12 , 10 13 , 10 14 , 10 15 , 10 16 , 10 17 , 10 18 , 10 19 , 10 20 , or 10 21 .
  • overall heating comprises heating the glass at a temperature of about in a range from about 350°C, 400°C, 450°C, 500°C, 550°C, 580°C, 600°C, 620°C, 650°C, 700°C, or 750°C.
  • overall heating of the glass sheet comprises heating at a temperature about equivalent to the glass transition temperature of the glass sheet.
  • the glass transition temperature, T g comprises the point at which the viscosity of the glass is about 10 13 Poise.
  • the overall heating temperature comprises a range from about -70°C to +70°C relative to the glass transition temperature of the glass sheet.
  • the glass transition temperature is about 500°C, 550°C, 580°C, 600°C, 620°C, 650°C, 700°C, or 750°C.
  • Another aspect comprises the use of localized heating of the glass sheet to provide control of the bending process.
  • the localized heating process comprises a key factor in optimizing the curvature of the bend.
  • the glass sheet has to be heated in a narrow band to localize the deformation.
  • the parameters that allow for achieving a narrow band include the geometry and position of the heating element (influencing the heat flux), the overall temperature (if the overall temperature is low, glass outside the bending region will not deform rapidly because of the heat transfer by conduction coming from the heated region), and the heating power, (high power values allow for rapid increases in temperature, allowing for the maintenance of relatively low temperatures outside the bend area).
  • the ability to apply a higher local heating power directly impacts the time required to bend the glass part. In the case where the bending step is the bottle neck of the process (other steps being progressive heat up and cooling) this may be an advantage.
  • localized heating comprises heating the glass at a temperature below the annealing temperature, the deformation point, the softening point, or the melting point. In some embodiments, localized heating comprises heating the glass at a temperature of about the glass transition temperature, the annealing temperature, the deformation point, or the softening point. In some embodiments, localized heating comprises heating the glass at a temperature above the glass transition temperature, the annealing temperature, the deformation point, or the softening point. In some embodiments, overall heating of the glass sheet comprises heating to a temperature wherein the viscosity of the glass is from about 10 7 to about 10 14 Poise, about 10 8 to about 10 13 Poise, about 10 9 to about 10 12 Poise.
  • overall heating of the glass sheet comprises heating to a temperature wherein the viscosity of the glass is about 10 7 , 10 8 , 10 9 , 10 10 , 10 11 , 10 12 , 10 13 , or 10 14 .
  • localized heating comprises heating the glass at a temperature of about in a range from about 500°C, 550°C, 580°C, 600°C, 620°C, 650°C, 700°C, 750°C, 800°C, 850°C, 900°C, 950°C, 1000°C, 1050°C, or 1100°C.
  • localized heating of the glass sheet comprises heating at a temperature about equivalent to the softening point of the glass sheet.
  • the softening point comprises the Littleton softening point, comprising the point at which the viscosity of the glass is about 10 7.6 Poise.
  • the softening point comprises the dilatometric softening point, comprising the point at which the viscosity of the glass is about 10 9 to about 10 11 Poise.
  • the softening point is determined by the Vicat method (ASTM-D1525 or ISO 306), the Heat Deflection Test (ASTM-D648), fiber elongation method (ASTM-C338), and/or a ring and ball method (ASTM E28-67).
  • the localized heating temperature comprises a range from about -70°C to +70°C relative to the softening point of the glass sheet.
  • the softening point is about 620°C, 650°C, 700°C, 726°C, 750°C, 800°C, 850°C, 900°C, 950°C, or 1000°C.
  • Localized heating may comprise any number of mechanisms, for example via radiation, conduction, or convection. Localized heating may be done via infrared heater, flame torch or burner, resistance heating of an element, or other means known to one of skill in the art. In some embodiments, localized heating comprises use of radiative heating. In some embodiments, localized heating comprises us of an IR heater. IR heaters, as used in embodiments, may be used in conjunction with any number of mirrors or other optics to produce a narrow, focused beam on the glass.
  • the localized heating device comprises a conduction element, such as, but not limited to, a resistively heated metal rod.
  • the conduction element comprises a metal, metal oxide, carbon compound, intermetallic compound, ceramic, or glass ceramic.
  • the conduction element comprises platinum, nichrome, kanthal, cupronickel, doped or undoped molybdenum disilicide, metal ceramics, calrod, positive thermal coefficient ceramic, barium titanate, lead titanate, molybdenum, or silicon carbide.
  • the embodiment in Figure 2 comprises direct fired platinum rods on ceramic support pedestals. The platinum rods conductively heat the glass sheet, allowing a minimum area of the glass sheet to be locally heated.
  • platinum conduction elements are shown in the example, the only limitation on which materials could be implemented as conduction elements is that the elements necessarily need to be able to reach a temperature in the range of the softening point of the glass being reshaped.
  • a temperature near the dilatometric softening point of the glass may be used to maintain sheet flatness while still allowing reshaping.
  • temperatures around the 3.5 x 10 9 poise range are necessary to reshape glass sheets of Corning Code 2318 alkali aluminosilicate glass.
  • the conduction element comprises a shape that reflects the desired shape of the bend in the glass. In some embodiments, multiple conduction elements are present to make more complex shapes. In some embodiments, the conduction element comprises a circular, oval, square, polyhedral, spline-like, or ornamental cross-section. In some embodiments, the cross-section of the conduction element comprises a circle.
  • the radius of the circular cross section of the conduction element is about 100 ⁇ m, 200 ⁇ m, 300 ⁇ m, 400 ⁇ m, 500 ⁇ m, 600 ⁇ m, 700 ⁇ m, 800 ⁇ m, 900 ⁇ m, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, or 10 mm.
  • the conduction element further comprises a mechanical support.
  • the mechanical support helps to maintain the structural integrity and straightness of the conduction element while under load, and may further act as a heat sink to allow for improved cooling of the conduction element.
  • the mechanical support comprises a metal oxide, carbon compound, intermetallic compound, ceramic, or glass ceramic. In some embodiments, the mechanical support comprises a ceramic or glass ceramic.
  • the conduction element is optionally coated with a release agent.
  • the release agent may comprise any compound or combination of compounds known to reduce or prevent the glass sheet from adhering to the conduction element.
  • the glass sheet is coated with compound to prevent adhesion to the conduction element.
  • the release agent comprises boron nitride, graphite or other carbon forms, or mineral oil.
  • the bending assistance device is for decreasing bending cycle time, decreased radius of curvature, and a lowering of the overall temperature of the glass sheet during the bending process.
  • the bending assistance device assists with the glass bending process.
  • the bending assistance device contacts the glass sheet on outside of the localized heating area and on the opposite side of the localized heating area from the support element.
  • Figure 3 shows a simplified schematic of an embodiment wherein bending assistance devices are present at both ends of a glass sheet.
  • the localized heating element is a metal tube positioned below the glass sheet.
  • the bending assistance devices can be manually applied, automatically applied, or may assist gravity in bending the glass sheet.
  • Figure 4 is a picture of an embodiment comprising platinum tubes on ceramic supports along with an embodiment of the bending assistance device, wherein the figure shows the glass sheet after the bending process.
  • the bending assistance device comprises a metal, metal oxide, carbon compound, intermetallic compound, ceramic, or glass ceramic.
  • the bending assistance device may comprise any shape or structure that allows for it to contact or apply force to the glass sheet and assist in bending the glass and/or allows the device to perform the function of improving the bend properties and/or bend characteristics, assists in bending of the glass sheet at lower temperatures, and/or reduces the time needed for bending the glass sheet.
  • the bending assistance device comprises a roller, wheel, tube, rod, or other element with a circular cross-section. In such embodiments, the bending assistance device can change relative position on the glass sheet without damaging the surface of the sheet as the sheet bends.
  • the bending assistance device comprises a plate or other element with a non-circular cross section that maximizes contact with the glass sheet so as to minimize likelihood of deforming the surface of the glass sheet.
  • the bending assistance device may comprise one or more brackets that position the bending assistance device and allow it to rotate and/or move as the glass bends so as to maintain contact and/or pressure on the glass sheet.
  • the bending assistance device may comprise any material that retains structural integrity at the temperatures in embodiments of the claimed process. While shown in the embodiment in Figure 3 making a 90° bend, the bending assistance device may be used to make bends of any angle.
  • the bending assistance device may assist in preparing bend angles from greater than 0° to about 170°, greater than 0° to about 160°, greater than 0° to about 150°, greater than 0° to about 140°, greater than 0° to about 130°, greater than 0° to about 120°, greater than 0° to about 110°, greater than 0° to about 100°, greater than 0° to about 90°, greater than 0° to about 80°, greater than 0° to about 70°, greater than 0° to about 60°, greater than 0° to about 50°, greater than 0° to about 40°, greater than 0° to about 30°, greater than 0° to about 20°, or greater than 0° to about 10°.
  • a constraint device is provided for preventing unwanted distortions to the glass sheet and allowing for a lowering of the overall temperature of the glass sheet needed during the bending process.
  • the constraint device prevents the glass sheet bending or warping outside of the bending region.
  • the constraint device comprises an element that is moveable and only contacts the glass sheet during the bending process.
  • the constraint device comprises an element that is immoveable and only contacts the glass sheet if it deforms during the bending process.
  • Figure 5A shows an unconstrained glass sheet subjected to localized, radiative heating above the temperature necessary to allow the glass to deform. As expected, the glass bends, but the resulting bend causes deformation of the glass surface outside of the bending area ( Figure 5B ).
  • a method of avoiding unwanted deformation outside of the bending area is to use a constraint device is used to apply pressure to the glass sheet outside the bending zone, in essence compressing the glass sheet against the support element ( Figure 6A ).
  • Figure 6B shows the resulting structure of the glass sheet after bending when an embodiment of the constraint device is used. As can be seen, the glass sheet near the bend is much more uniform and has significantly less distortion.
  • the constraint element prevents movement of the glass sheet outside the bending region and therefore, essentially "locks" the sheet into its flat conformation, eliminating the possibility of deformation during the localized heating cycle. More specifically, in the theory of elastic plates, there is a description of the compressed plate stability (see, e.g., Ronald D. Ziemian, GUIDE TO STABILITY DESIGN CRITERIA FOR METAL STRUCTURES, p.
  • ⁇ cr ⁇ 2 ⁇ 3 1 ⁇ v 2 E h b 2
  • E a Young module
  • ⁇ ⁇ a Poison's ratio
  • h the thickness of the plate
  • b the width of the area in compression
  • ⁇ cr determines a limit above which the plate is not stable and subject to a deformation.
  • the analogy is not strictly valid for glass bending because, as the material is not purely elastic, it indeed dissipates part of the stress by viscous relaxation.
  • the parameters impacting the stability of the glass sheet upon localized heating are 1) glass thickness - the thinner the glass, the lower the stress above which out of plane deformation occurs; 2) glass CTE - instabilities are favored for high CTE compositions, such as ion exchangeable glasses; and 3) local temperature gradient - increasing the temperature difference between the preheating environment and the heated area allows for a tighter radius of curvature and reduced cycle time, but also favors instability.
  • a constraint device impacts the stability of the glass sheet in a number of ways. As illustrated in Figure 7 , decreasing the preheating temperature tends to lead increase the likelihood of instability. However, as noted previously, for surface quality reasons it is desirable to minimize this temperature, an observation being that below the glass transition temperature is a good practice. For example, it has been shown that in embodiments comprising a constraint device, it is possible to decrease the preheating temperature down to 520°C, using a glass having a glass transition temperature of 580°C.
  • the application of the constraint device is generally done only during the localized heating step.
  • the constraint device is applied onto a portion or the whole width of the bend, and located as close as possible to the locally heated area without marring the surface of the glass.
  • the distance between the load and the locally heated area has to be within a range bounded by the lower limit distance, which is defined by the distance wherein marks appear due to the contact of heated glass by a solid material.
  • the limit comprises a distance of about 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, or 20 mm.
  • the distance between the load and the locally heated area has to be within a range bounded by the upper limit distance, which is defined by the distance wherein unacceptable deformation occurs between the bend and the constraint device.
  • the limit comprises a distance of about 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, 50 mm, 55 mm, 60 mm, 70 mm, 75 mm, 80 mm, 85 mm, 90 mm, or 100 mm.
  • the contact pressure between the load and the glass comprises a force moderate enough to avoid the creation of optical defects.
  • the constraint device may be applied to the top, bottom or both faces of the glass and may comprise any material that retains structural integrity at the temperatures in embodiments of the claimed process ( Figures 8A-D ). Examples of materials used in the embodiments of constraint devices, but are not limited to, ceramic, glass ceramic, inorganic compounds, carbon-based compounds, and glasses, and combinations thereof.
  • the contact pressure required to maintain a flat glass surface is on the order of about 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800 N/m 2 , and may be brought about by any of the means constituting the different embodiments. Additionally, the contact material may comprise, but is not limited to, glass ceramic, stainless steel, or porous or fiber board ceramic.
  • the constraint device may also comprise a heat sink, which may allow for increased temperature variations between the localized temperature and overall temperature of the glass sheet, or thermal isolation of the bend and flat regions of the glass sheet.
  • the constraint device may comprise a metal piece to act in both a constraint and thermal sink capacity.
  • the constraint device comprises a rigid body positioned above the glass and above the support element and prevents the glass sheet from freely deforming during the bending process ( Figures 9A and 9B ).
  • a minor gap may be present between the glass sheet and the constraint device, and contact between the constraint device and the glass sheet only takes place when deformation of the sheet exceeds the gap spacing.
  • the spacing between the glass and the rigid constraint device comprises about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, or 1000 ⁇ m.
  • a Wilt furnace having a 600 x 1700 mm base area was used to perform experiments.
  • the furnace could be raised and lowered over the base for accessibility to the bending system.
  • Two platinum rods or tubes were positioned parallel to each other on the furnace floor and at a separation distance determined by the final shaped length of the glass sheet.
  • the platinum tubes were supported off the furnace floor on each end by refractory V-blocks.
  • a refractory plate or frame mounted on refractory blocks was placed between the tube support blocks to support the glass sheet.
  • a ceramic tube or rod was inserted into the platinum tube as a mechanical support to maintain the straightness of the platinum tubes and keep them from bending.
  • Current was supplied to the platinum tubes by using platinum straps welded to the tube ends with the other ends connected to cooled copper electrical buss blocks.
  • a transformer stepped down the line voltage and increased the amperage going into the platinum tubes.
  • a controller was connected to a semiconductor-controlled rectifier ("SCR") to control the power and the resulting temperature generated by the platinum tubes.
  • Thermocouples were placed in contact at the center area of each tube and at each tube end. The controller was controlled by one of the center thermocouples acting as a "control thermocouple.”
  • a seventh thermocouple was placed under the glass sheet to read the furnace internal temperature. The furnace itself had two internal thermocouples with one
  • the release agent used was a boron nitride spray (EKamold®EP EKS Ceramics GmBH). The boron nitride was lightly applied to the platinum tubes, and then the platinum tubes were heated to 200°C for 10 minutes to bake on the release agent. Initially, some release agent residue would appear on the glass sheet after bending, but if the control temperature was maintained below 700°C, then no residue was observed. Alternatively, several glass sheets were prepared for acid etching studies, and after the etching process the residue was removed.
  • the glass sheet was scribed and cut to the particular size of interest. Prior to the glass sheet placement on the refractory plate or frame, the refractory setter plate was leveled and accurately positioned between the platinum tubes.
  • the setter plate used was a 1 ⁇ 4" thick refractory silica board (RSLE-57 manufactured by ZIRCAR), which had been cut to size.
  • the thermocouples are positioned to be in contact with the platinum tubes on each end and one in the center. Alignment of the platinum tubes was checked along with the sheet position so that the correct shape could be formed.
  • the furnace is closed and taken to a preheat temperature of 525°C and allowed to reach thermal equilibrium. Power is applied to the tubes and a temperature is selected that allows the glass to soften enough to bend but not hot enough to distort other areas of the sheet. Initial trials involved bending the glass sheet via its own weight. Once the sheet has under gone bending or reshaping the power is removed from the platinum tubes and the glass sheet is allowed to cool in the furnace.
  • a mechanical gravity assisted shaping tool was also implemented.
  • a mechanical bending device was designed to assist with the glass bending process. This device comprised a ceramic tube and two support end brackets that allowed the ceramic tube to "roll” via gravity over the sheet edge as it softened. This bend assisting device enabled sheet edges to be shaped at lower temperatures and at faster time intervals.
  • the thermocouples were placed along the platinum tubes and the alignment of the platinum tubes was checked, the bend assisting device was placed on the sheet.
  • the bend assisting device was positioned on the top glass sheet surface near the outer edge of the sheet.
  • the ceramic tube support brackets were designed to attach to the platinum tubes at each end beyond the sheet width. These brackets enabled the ceramic tube to sit on the glass surface near the outer most edge of the glass sheet and move freely.
  • the ceramic tubes were able to move downward via gravity as the sheet bends. The added weight of the ceramic tubes assisted in bending the sheet, which takes less time and temperature, and helped to apply even stress to the glass, allowing for a more controlled bend.
  • the Wilt furnace was ramped up to 580°C and held at this temperature throughout the bending cycle.
  • the thermocouple temperatures were plotted using data acquisition software that allowed for monitoring of the thermal profile of the platinum tubes and also recorded the Wilt furnace temperature. As the Wilt furnace temperature reached equilibrium at 580°C, the platinum tube power control was energized. The controller for the direct fired platinum tubes was ramped up to 680°C at a rate of 50°C per minute. The PID control parameters were tuned for the specific size of platinum tubing in order to minimize any temperature overshoot and maintain tight control of the temperature. Once the 680°C temperature was achieved, it took approximately four minutes for the sheet to fully bend to the desired shape. The temperature along the length of each tube was somewhat variable, but all thermocouples read within the 680 to 700°C range.
  • the sheet started to bend almost immediately once the platinum tubes reached the 680°C temperature. The additional several minutes was required to ensure that the bend was complete on both sides to the desired finial angle. Bend angles up to 90 degrees were achieved with angles less than 90 degrees made by using a refractory plate to stop the glass edge from bending any further. More complex shapes and larger angles are possible by using different platinum tube sizes and shapes along with refractory forms that allow specific bend angles.
  • the direct-heated platinum tubes enabled reshaping the glass sheet at a lower temperature, avoiding embossing or the creation of surface defects from contact, which is not the case with using molds for reshaping glass at higher temperatures.
  • the bending area could contain residual stress even when the glass was allowed to cool slowly. Therefore, an optional step of annealing the sheet after bending, either with the sheet in place or by annealing after it was removed, was done. It was found that annealing was best done after the sheet had been removed from the bending system and was laid on a flat surface with the bend edges upward. This prevented bowing of the sheet during the anneal cycle with the ceramic bend assisting device still on it and optionally applying tension to the sheet.
  • a manufacturing process requires a much faster cycle time to make the bends, and then post-heat treat.
  • One possible process is to use a Lehr or tunnel kiln to preheat the glass sheet, move the sheet to a forming platform, bend the sheet, and then place the sheet back in the same kiln for post-thermal treatment. This setup avoids making the bending apparatus the bottle-neck of the commercial process.
  • Another possibility is to have the sheet come through a Lehr or tunnel kiln, bring the platinum tubes up to the sheet while at the same time bringing the bending assisting device into contact with the glass, and bending the sheet without moving it from the conveyor belt. While more complicated, this process allows for rapid reshaping of the glass sheets in an assembly line fashion.
  • An alternative approach is to use a furnace to preheat the glass sheet, a second furnace for bending, then after bending, transfer the glass to an annealing furnace. If the glass sheet is on a refractory plate which does not lose temperature between transfers, for example a silica plate, then the glass sheet can be transferred without cracking.
  • a benefit of the direct-fired platinum tubes is that the lower surrounding temperatures enable shuffling glass sheets to and from the bending apparatus with less loss of heat and less potential for cracking. With the short bending times, embodiments of the claimed process allow manufacturing of multiple parts and a higher throughput.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Re-Forming, After-Treatment, Cutting And Transporting Of Glass Products (AREA)
EP12840257.5A 2011-10-10 2012-10-05 Reshaping thin glass sheets Not-in-force EP2766315B1 (en)

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US201161545329P 2011-10-10 2011-10-10
PCT/US2012/058950 WO2013055589A2 (en) 2011-10-10 2012-10-05 Reshaping thin glass sheets

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EP2766315A4 EP2766315A4 (en) 2015-06-24
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KR20170068592A (ko) 2014-10-29 2017-06-19 코닝 인코포레이티드 가열된 유리 시트를 성형하기 위한 장치 및 방법
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JP2014531395A (ja) 2014-11-27
EP2766315A4 (en) 2015-06-24
EP2766315A2 (en) 2014-08-20
WO2013055589A3 (en) 2014-05-22
WO2013055589A2 (en) 2013-04-18
JP6310393B2 (ja) 2018-04-11
US20150000341A1 (en) 2015-01-01
CN103874664A (zh) 2014-06-18

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